NUMSA will march to the Department of Transport offices in Tshwane. Image: Abayomi Azikiwe / Flickr.
20% Wage increase demanded by NUMSA for automotive sector
NUMSA is reportedly demanding wage increases of up to 20% in the automotive sector and the second round of talks is expected next week.
NUMSA will march to the Department of Transport offices in Tshwane. Image: Abayomi Azikiwe / Flickr.
NUMSA has demanded wage increases of up to 20% for those in the automotive industry.
Union meets with automotive sector employers
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it met with employers in the auto sector to table its demands. These employers are represented by the Automobile Manufacturers Association.
The employers reportedly proposed an inflation-linked three-year agreement. However, spokesperson for NUMSA Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says another round of talks will be held in Gqeberha on Monday, 18 July, reports SABC News.
Why is the union demanding increases of up to 20%?
“The working class in South Africa is struggling to cope and this includes our members in the auto sector. Our demands are motivated by the rising cost of living and the poor socio-economic conditions that workers find themselves in. At the same time, the rising cost of fuel and electricity has added to the financial burden of the workers. At the same time, workers in this sector have not earned an increase in their salaries in the last two years due to COVID-19 lockdown and the shortage of semiconductors,”
said NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.
NUMSA shocked at the murder of member in Rustenberg
In other news about NUMSA, it was previously reported that the union expressed its disbelief on Sunday, 26 June, following the murder of one of their own. The victim is a Rustenburg shop steward from the Impala Platinum Mine.
The victim, Mahlomola Hlothoane, is allegedly the second shop steward at Implats to be murdered within a year. In a statement released by NUMSA, Hlothoane was murdered by two unknown gunmen at his residential home in Rustenburg.
“He was murdered on Friday night at his home in Rustenburg by two unknown gunmen. We are deeply shocked and saddened as a trade union that we have lost a leader who was dedicated to the struggle of workers. We send our deepest condolences to his family who has lost a breadwinner and father,” said NUMSA. Read the full story here.
